out his two tenth cards for the crib, and a scores A follows with the nine, making 24, B his 2 1 13 Making in all four more than game.. 65 In the other case A and B play against C and D. A deals to every one a three, four, six, seven, and any tenth card, which last mentioned each, to play judiciously, should put out for the crib; then suppose a knave turned up, for which A and B score C begins with a four. B pairs the same and sets up A a double pair-royal C then follows with a three. B pairs that also D makes another pair-royal.. A the double ditto, and end hole. goes on with a seven, which C B likewise pairs ..... D plays the third seven A the fourth seven, and end hole again C now plays his six. B pairs it D'makes the pair-royal again.. A the double ditto, and end hole. 2 6 12 2 13 2 6 13 2 6 13 24 61 For the method of playing four-hand Cribbage see p. 156. ODDS OF THE GAME. THE chances of points in a hand are calculated at more than 4, and under 5: and those to be gained in play are reckoned 2 to the dealer, and 1 to the adversary, making in all about 6 on the average, throughout the game; and the probability of those in the crib are estimated at 5; so that each player ought to make 16 in two deals, and onward in the same proportion to the end of the game; by which it appears that the first dealer has rather the advantage, supposing the cards to run equal, and the players likewise equally matched in skill. By attending to the above calculation any player may judge whether he is at home or not, and thereby play his game accordingly, either by making a push when he is behind and holds good cards, or by endeavouring to baulk the opponent when his hand proves indifferent. IN FAVOUR OF THE DEALER. EACH party being even 5 holes going up, is 6 to 4 at 10 holes each. 12..11 In all situations of the game, till within 15 of the end, when the dealer is 5 points a head ..... But when within 15 of the end.. 3. 1 ... 8.1 And if the dealer wants 6, and the adversary 11. .10.. I Should the dealer be 10 a head, it is 4 or 5.. 1 And near the end of the game, 10 or....12.. 1 When the dealer wants 16 and the antago nist 11 21..20 AGAINST THE DEALER. Bотn players being even at 56 holes each, is 7 to 5 57 58 If the dealer wants 20, and his oppo nent 17.. 7.4 3.. 2 5.4 When the dealer is 5 points behind, previous to turning the top of the board.... 6. 5 When he is 31, and the antagonist 36. 6.. 4 When 36, and the adversary 41.. EVEN BETTING. When at 59 holes each player. .... 7.4 In all points of the game, till within 20 of the end, if the non-dealer is 3 a head. The dealer wanting 14, and his antagonist 9 11, Ditto THREE OR FOUR-HAND CRIBBAGE differs only from the preceding, as the parties put out but one card each to the crib, and when 31, or near as can be, have been made, then the next eldest hand leads, and the players go on again, in rotation, with any remaining cards, till all are played out, before they proceed to shew. For three-hand cribbage triangular boards are used. A sort of three-hand cribbage is sometimes played, wherein one person sits out, not each game, but each deal in rotation. In this the first dealer generally wins. SIX-CARD CRIBBAGE varies from that played with five, as the players (always only two) commence on an equality, without scoring any points for last, retain four cards in hand, and all the cards are to be played out, as in three and fourhand cribbage with five cards. At this game it is of advantage to the last player to keep as close cards as possible, in hopes of coming in for 15, a sequence, or pair, besides the end hole or 31. The first dealer is reckoned to have some trifling advantage, and each player may, on the average, expect to make 25 points in every two deals. The first non-dealer is considered to have a preference, when he gains 10 or more the first-hand, and the dealer not making more than his average number. EIGHT-CARD CRIBBAGE is sometimes played; but very seldom. These games of three and four-hand cribbage, and those of six or eight cards, are easier than that of five cards by two persons, and consequently are not near so much in vogue with professed gamesters. Some ingenious people in London invented a game of chance they styled playing at cribbage by hackney coaches; that is, two persons seating themselves at a window in some great thoroughfare street, one would take all the coaches from the right, the other from the left: the figures on the doors of the carriages were reckoned as cards in shew, and every man or boy that happened to sit, stand, or hold at the back of any of them, was called a Noddy, and 1 scored for each. P THE GAME OF MATRIMONY. MATRIMONY may be played by any number of persons from five to fourteen. This game is composed of five chances, usually marked on a board or sheet of paper, as follows: N. B. The ace of diamonds turned up takes the whole pool, but when in hand ranks only as any other ace, and if not turned up, nor any ace in hand, then the king, or next superior card, wins the chance styled best. The game is generally played with counters, and the dealer stakes what he pleases on each or any chance, the other players depositing each the same quantity, except one; that is, when the dealer stakes twelve, the rest of the company lay |